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The Community Engagement Officer is an essential role in fostering strong relationships with current and prospective members of the School Library Association community. The postholder will provide frontline support, drive online and in person engagement through outreach initiatives, and contribute to the growth and sustainability of the membership base. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about school libraries, education, and community-building.
With a particular focus on coordinating and supporting our Branch network, you will collaborate on initiatives for development, delivery and new projects as they come online. You will be the first port of call for advice and expertise relating to school libraries and enabling our members to more effectively support their school communities. Supporting the delivery of online and in-person networking events and workshops for members, you will work with your SLA colleagues, in particular the Training and Events Officer, to deliver a high-quality member offer and to ensure member needs are reflected in all offerings. The ability to travel to training and events across the UK is essential. Duties include:
Branch network and member support
- Work with the CEO to develop the SLA Branch Network and accompanying strategies
- Identify opportunities for developing initiatives to grow and develop the Branch network community, that will deliver on the SLA mission
- Develop strong relationships with local, regional and national stakeholders to support network growth and enable members to take full advantage of all relevant opportunities available to them
- Provide advice for SLA members on all aspects of school libraries, ensuring they are supported and can be as effective as possible in their school communities
- Drive engagement and development of online communities as part of the branch network
Training and events
- Work with the Training and Events Coordinator to support and deliver a calendar of exciting, engaging and informative events
- Support the delivery of online and in-person networking events and workshops with a focus on the Branch network community
- Represent the association at relevant events and for programmes (e.g., conferences, webinars, book awards) to promote membership and services
- Support training and event delivery (online and in-person), engaging and inspiring audiences as needed
- Support development of training programmes, toolkits and resources using member insight to inform
Outreach and communications
- Coordinate the mentoring scheme and ensure it is promoted effectively, with necessary support and development available to mentees and training for mentors
- Use your sector insight to identify opportunities for development of research and other initiatives, maintaining links and horizon scanning
- Provide SLA consultancy aligned with strategic approaches, supporting schools with development of their libraries, reading and information literacy provision to help children and young people reach their full potential
- Contribute to SLA communications such as TSL, newsletters, updates, and promotional materials
- Oversee the book review process in support of TSL, our quarterly journal
- Supporting management of the SLA resource library, working with colleagues to ensure alignment
- Support outreach to new audiences
Building relationships and an ability to foster collaboration and community engagement will be an important part of this role. All team members contribute to office admin, maintaining member data and general office support.
To be successful in this role you should ideally be able to demonstrate:
· experience of working in school libraries, the education sector and a strong understanding of the education landscape
· clear understanding of the curriculum and teaching and learning outcomes
· knowledge of children and young people’s literature
· experience developing and delivering inspirational training, to small and large groups, both online and in person
· experience creating training resources, toolkits and teaching and learning resources
· ability to galvanise and inspire others with flair and creativity
· the ability to manage own workload, prioritise and meet competing deadlines
· the ability to work hours flexibly around event and training delivery
An expert communicator, you will be experienced in developing relationships with a variety of stakeholders at all levels. Experience of consultancy, schools’ engagement and outreach would be advantage.
The salary for this position is £19, 594.59 (FTE £29,000) for 25 hours per week, and comes with a 6% employer pension contribution.
We are open to discussing flexible working patterns, condensed hours or other arrangements we may not yet have thought of. This is a remote working role, with monthly all team meetings which you will be required to attend, in addition to training and events across the UK. Working patterns can be negotiated. We strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply. Each new role provides us with an opportunity for us to bring in a different perspective and we are always eager to diversify our team. The SLA is committed to building an inclusive, supportive place, where you can do brilliant and rewarding work.
Why work for the School Library Association?
We are in an exciting period of growth in the history of the SLA, with a new CEO, coinciding with the opportunity to influence a new government. Plans to redevelop our offer are in progress and you will have the opportunity to influence new approaches and ways of working. We are a small, friendly team who support each other to deliver an excellent service to our members and passionately believe in the power of school libraries to transform children and young people’s personal, social and educational outcomes.
Annual Leave is 25 days plus bank holidays. We offer free mental health support and counselling sessions and brilliant discounts with a variety of retailers including up to 40% off Vue cinema tickets through our HR partner.
About the School Library Association
The School Library Association (SLA) is an independent charity and membership organisation that believes every pupil is entitled to effective school library provision. The SLA supports all those working in school libraries. We have been representing the school library sector for more than eighty-five years, with membership to the Association thought of as essential to all those who work in and around school libraries. Membership to the SLA provides training, support in advocating with senior leadership teams, incredible discounts and collegiate networking opportunities for everybody working in and with school libraries.
How to apply
To apply please send your CV and a covering letter (no more than one page) detailing the experience you have in relation to the job description, that you can bring to this role, and how your skills align with what we are looking for. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. We truly appreciate all applications, but due to the volume we receive, we will not be able to provide individual feedback. No agencies please
Deadline: Monday 2nd June, 9am. Please note we will be actively interviewing for this role; if you are interested apply as soon as possible as we may close recruitment early if the right candidate is found.
Registered Charity 
6 - 10
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Redthread is a hospital based youth work service, working alongside NHS staff and other professionals in emergency departments.
Our experienced, specialist youth workers engage with and support young people, aiming to reduce serious youth violence. We often meet young people at a moment of change and work with them to find a positive way forward.
We provide long-term, holistic support. We consider every aspect of a young person’s life and build support around them.
Job Description
The Senior Service Manager (SSM) provides strategic oversight of Redthread Services (currently working with 9 hospitals in London and Birmingham) providing line management to ensure high quality delivery that improves outcomes for children and young people and be successful in seeking opportunities for further growth. The SSM will work with the YPF SMT and will take a lead role in implementing our YPF strategy in this area, including taking and making opportunities to grow our services, and supporting new service implementation as need requires.
The role can be home based, but time spent in each of the services alongside travel across the UK will be required in order to support delivery and growth of services across the Hub. The ideal candidate will have experience of delivering and managing similar services and the right mix of leadership, passion and energy, and an innovative nature. A proven track record in engaging with positive relationships with commissioners and securing new business is essential. The role will involve promoting, connecting and building services in order to impact the lives of vulnerable young people with complex needs.
Duties and accountabilities are split into two core areas, management and development of Redthread service delivery, including direct management and coordination ensuring high performance that improves outcomes for children and young peopleand supporting implementation of the YPF growth strategy
- Line management of service managers and operational oversight of service contracts.
- Supporting the implementation of the YPF strategy, including making opportunities for organic and new growth. Work with Business Development and other business partners and engage Commissioners and other funders to develop our delivery models and to bid for services (organic growth and nationally).
- Supporting the implementation of the Clinical Governance policy and responsible for ensuring relevant services adhere to this guidance.
- Contribute to national stakeholder engagement plans and local, geographical influencer plans to promote our hospital based youth work offer and support growth.
- Ensure that staff and volunteers within services are engaged with Redthread’s vision and strategic plan, are motivated and understand their role and contribution to the wider organisation.
- Provide robust management and accountability for service budgets and in building budgets for new services working closely with Redthread’s finance business partner.
- Monitor and ensure that contractual commitments are met and that service performance is maximised; acting promptly to respond to and resolve performance and compliance issues. A core component of the role will be to ensure the confidence of our Commissioners including by assuring the quality of delivery, through Brilliant Basics audit, review, observation and ongoing service development.
- Ensure the provision of high quality reports for Redthread, commissioners and other strategic groups on the work of the services with clear evidence of quantitative and qualitative outputs – particularly signing off service commissioner reports / performance prior to external distribution.
- Ensure that services operate effective multi-agency working processes, such as referral, assessment and review and to ensure a high quality standard of lead professional, meeting chairpersonship and co-ordination from workers.
- Promote and support the participation of service users so that they are appropriately informed, consulted and involved in their own plans and the design and delivery of services.
- Be responsible for ensuring that all service activity is safe for all involved, to include adherence to Redthread’s health and safety policies including safeguarding, accidents, incident and injury reporting, fire safety and risk assessment. Review audit activity within services and work to ensure a consistent approach across services.
- Undertake other duties as required to ensure the effective delivery of the services.
Qualifications
Professional qualification in a relevant discipline such as youth, community or management or demonstrable equivalent experience.
KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge and understanding of relevant current issues and research (including emerging trends youth violence work and associated areas of risk)
EXPERIENCE
- A proven track record of developing and managing projects in the public, private or voluntary sectors.
- Extensive experience of working with young people (11 – 18 years) and their families, identified as vulnerable or as having complex needs preferably within a community setting.
- Demonstrable experience of staff management including recruitment, induction, supervision and support.
- Proven track record in scoping and developing new business activity, including engaging and developing positive relationships with commissioners.
- Experience of preparing bids e.g service model development, articulating delivery within tenders - for significant projects/services and participation in the business development process e.g. responding to tender questions etc
- Experience of working using own initiative to an agreed action plan and effectively monitoring service quality standards and performance.
- Commitment to young people’s participation
- Substantial experience of working in a multi-agency environment and the proven ability to develop effective working relationships with other professionals/organisations.
- Experience of managing services for young people and their families, and empowering them to make positive and informed choices in their lives.
- Experience of developing new contracts and development opportunities with commissioners and partners.
- Experience of project development
- Experience of training / public speaking to a wide range of audiences
SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Proven ability to lead and coach others in their professional development
- Demonstrated ability to manage and monitor budgets (up to the value of £1m p/a), working within organisational financial procedures.
- Ability to lead, motivate and oversee administrative processes.
- Excellent negotiation skills, and an ability to handle sensitive matters with tact and diplomacy.
- Demonstrated ability to incorporate and demonstrate an equal opportunities perspective in all areas of work
- Ability to achieve results and meet deadlines and to motivate and manage staff to do the same.
- Computer literacy including the use of Email, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Ability to build and establish effective working relationships at a range of levels, including with commissioners, funders and external influencers.
- Creative, flexible and able to work well with others in a team.
- Honest and reliable.
- Commitment to the organisation and also to their own personal and professional development.
- Commitment to enabling children/young people and their families to participate and achieve their full potential.
Additional information
Hours of work: Full time, 37 hours per week
Place of Work: Home based with expectation of national travel*
Contract Type: Permanent
Level of screening: Enhanced DBS
*You will be required to work on a on-call basis (days, evenings, weekends, bank holidays) supporting on-call staff with risk assessments ad decision making.
Catch22 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice will be followed and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.